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Now that I have the experience of towing our camper for almost two seasons, I would like your thoughts on my experiences, and a question: Am I OK with the Ridgeline or do I need a big V8?
Facts: I am a Honda man, love them and their dependability. This has been my first experience towing, and I have towed about 6 to 8 thousand miles now and have 18,000m on my 2014 Ridgeline. I am towing a Camplite 14DBs camper with a radiused front end, tandem axle and dry weight of 2600#. We try to travel light so total weight hopefully not much more than 3000#. No weight distribution hitch nor sway bars, and this works fine. It tows very well and steady. I love non interstate four lanes as I can go 50 to 60mph and it does fine. On the interstate, I tend to target 65mph and here is the question: The Ridgeline at this speed frequently stays in 4th gear, and often down to 3rd, running at 3000 to 3500. I try not to go to 4000 RPM very often. This is so different than a big F150 V8.
If I run up or beyond 70 mph, I can keep it in 5th and 4th, but I really do not like this high a speed, as I am retired, and simply not in a huge hurry.
Our trips have been 400 miles one way at the most, in one day. We want to do the 1500+ miles to get out west. I am concerned about this 3rd gear business in the 3000 RPM range, can this Ridgeline get us out west comfortably and be dependable? Is this OK for the Ridgeline, will it "wear out" prematurely?
Facts: I am a Honda man, love them and their dependability. This has been my first experience towing, and I have towed about 6 to 8 thousand miles now and have 18,000m on my 2014 Ridgeline. I am towing a Camplite 14DBs camper with a radiused front end, tandem axle and dry weight of 2600#. We try to travel light so total weight hopefully not much more than 3000#. No weight distribution hitch nor sway bars, and this works fine. It tows very well and steady. I love non interstate four lanes as I can go 50 to 60mph and it does fine. On the interstate, I tend to target 65mph and here is the question: The Ridgeline at this speed frequently stays in 4th gear, and often down to 3rd, running at 3000 to 3500. I try not to go to 4000 RPM very often. This is so different than a big F150 V8.
If I run up or beyond 70 mph, I can keep it in 5th and 4th, but I really do not like this high a speed, as I am retired, and simply not in a huge hurry.
Our trips have been 400 miles one way at the most, in one day. We want to do the 1500+ miles to get out west. I am concerned about this 3rd gear business in the 3000 RPM range, can this Ridgeline get us out west comfortably and be dependable? Is this OK for the Ridgeline, will it "wear out" prematurely?